To obtain the standard value of the distal latency of the superficial radial nerve in normal adult Koreans, the antidromic methods, developed by Mackenzie et al, were applied to forty normal volunteers who had neither extrinsic nor intrinsic neuropathy. Two methods of Mackenzie et al, chosen in this study are(I) recording from a major branch of a nerve as it crosses the extensor pollicis longus tendon at the snuff box of wrist, using segments of 10, 12, and 14 cm; (II) recording from the thumb, using segments of 14, 16, and 18 cm.

The results were summarized as follows:

1) the standard value of the distal latency of the superficial radial nerve of the normal Korean in this study was 1.3±0.6 msec(±2 SD).

2) The mean latency to the onset of the negative response, using method I, was smaller than that using method II at the same distance.

3) The amplitude by method I was significantly larger than by method II, making it easier to record.

Keywords :Superficial radial nerve, Nerve conduction study, Control, Distal latency, Antidromic method